Cow / Calf Operators:

It's starting to really feel like summer! And as you turn bulls out, or prepare to, we need to remember some cow related truths. Cows will not cycle and rebreed if they are in a negative energy balance. Regardless of the condition of your cows at calving she still needs to gain a small amount of weight after calving to cycle. We fall short here on an individual basis and it's most common among the first calf heifers. This shows up next fall at preg check time with late breds and opens. As an industry, we’ve come to expect a handful of late breds and opens. This does not need to be the norm. We can fix this, and it does not involve a lot of cost, just the correct allocation of feed resources. 

For those of you that do extensive AI and ET work talk to me about this. Special considerations are in order here especially if you turn cows out before cows are confirmed pregnant. I have experience with embryo transfer in a dairy cow setting and I have learned some nutrition and pregnancy rate response things that may help you also. 

Als, don’t overlook your mineral program. Cheaper is not usually better due to differing rates of availability for absorption among mineral sources. Buying mineral is confusing so don’t feel bad if you were told different stories and are confused by the difference in cost of a 50# bag of mineral. I would like the opportunity to discuss your mineral questions in person. 

Creep feed and the varying prices are also a cause of question. I'm here to help you figure out what is best for your operation. Here is the main thing to remember about creep feeding: Feed efficiency will never be better than it is right now on these young calves. Feed efficiency starts to slowly get poorer after approximately 5 months of age. By getting creep feed into them now we maximize this free gift of early life feed efficiency while it lasts. We also replace some grass so mom can eat it. These two items often get forgotten when simply making decisions on cost/ton.

Another reminder with creep feed this season - Trucks and the people driving them have gotten expensive. Repairs and insurance have done the same. FCS asks that you please bring your creep feeders up to the pasture gate or the house yard to be filled. We will no longer be going into the pasture to fill feeders. 

Thanks for your time and your business. Please call to further discuss any of these topics or other things on your mind!

Your FCS beef team 
Al Clough - 515-570-6038
Katia Sytsma - 712-578-2616
Jared Terpstra

Cow / Calf Operators:

It's starting to really feel like summer! And as you turn bulls out, or prepare to, we need to remember some cow related truths. Cows will not cycle and rebreed if they are in a negative energy balance. Regardless of the condition of your cows at calving she still needs to gain a small amount of weight after calving to cycle. We fall short here on an individual basis and it's most common among the first calf heifers. This shows up next fall at preg check time with late breds and opens. As an industry, we’ve come to expect a handful of late breds and opens. This does not need to be the norm. We can fix this, and it does not involve a lot of cost, just the correct allocation of feed resources. 

For those of you that do extensive AI and ET work talk to me about this. Special considerations are in order here especially if you turn cows out before cows are confirmed pregnant. I have experience with embryo transfer in a dairy cow setting and I have learned some nutrition and pregnancy rate response things that may help you also. 

Als, don’t overlook your mineral program. Cheaper is not usually better due to differing rates of availability for absorption among mineral sources. Buying mineral is confusing so don’t feel bad if you were told different stories and are confused by the difference in cost of a 50# bag of mineral. I would like the opportunity to discuss your mineral questions in person. 

Creep feed and the varying prices are also a cause of question. I'm here to help you figure out what is best for your operation. Here is the main thing to remember about creep feeding: Feed efficiency will never be better than it is right now on these young calves. Feed efficiency starts to slowly get poorer after approximately 5 months of age. By getting creep feed into them now we maximize this free gift of early life feed efficiency while it lasts. We also replace some grass so mom can eat it. These two items often get forgotten when simply making decisions on cost/ton.

Another reminder with creep feed this season - Trucks and the people driving them have gotten expensive. Repairs and insurance have done the same. FCS asks that you please bring your creep feeders up to the pasture gate or the house yard to be filled. We will no longer be going into the pasture to fill feeders. 

Thanks for your time and your business. Please call to further discuss any of these topics or other things on your mind!

Your FCS beef team 
Al Clough - 515-570-6038
Katia Sytsma - 712-578-2616
Jared Terpstra